NORTHWEST COLORADO NEWS AND SPORTS FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH

THREE SPRINGS FIRE CONTAINED

The Three Springs Fire, reported yesterday at 4:37 p.m., spread quickly in dry grass south of U.S. Highway 40 in western Moffat County. At least five separate wildland fires were ignited along the highway from sparks created by a chain dragging behind a vehicle. A single engine air tanker dropped one load of fire retardant to slow the fires spread and give engines and ground crews a chance to fight the wildland fire. No structures were threatened but there were power lines in the area that could potentially have been impacted. Responding to the incident were Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, Artesia Fire Protection District, Bureau of Land Management, and Dinosaur National Monument. The fires were contained at 8:30 p.m. last night. Total acres burned is 107.5 acres, the largest of the blazes is 85 acres. Two BLM engines returned to continue mop up today. The fires are on BLM public land with a small portion on private and Colorado state land.

DINOSAUR EMPLOYEE RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

An employee at Dinosaur National Monument has received a national award. River Office Manager Kelly Kager has received the Andrew Hecht Memorial Public Safety Award. It’s the highest award bestowed by the National Park Service for outstanding public safety achievement. It’s presented to an individual for efforts to prevent serious injuries or fatalities to the public. Park Superintendent Mary Risser says out of the more than 390 National Park Service areas, Kager was selected to receive this award because of her outstanding outreach efforts during the volatile 2011 season on Dinosaur’s rivers. In 2011, the Green and Yampa rivers saw the highest water levels in decades. The Yampa recorded the second highest flows in a century. For most of May, June, and July, water on the Green was four times as high as normal since the 1960s. These water levels presented vastly different conditions for Dinosaur’s boaters than they were accustomed to. Because of Kelly’s outreach, there were no fatalities or serious injuries on Dinosaur’s rivers. Kager will receive a plaque and a $500 monetary award.

STEAMBOAT POLICE TO HOST SWAT TRAINING THIS WEEKEND

The Steamboat Police Department will host a SWAT Conference and Training on the campus of Colorado Mountain College this weekend. The training area at Bogue Hall will be blocked off from 8 to 5 Friday through Sunday. People are advised to avoid the training site for their safety and forewarned that there will be periodic loud noises, such as simulated gun shots and small explosions throughout the duration of the conference. Approximately 60 police officers from across Colorado will attend the conference representing Federal, State, County, and Local law enforcement agencies.

SCOTT TIPTON’S HYDROPOWER BILL GETS SENATE HEARING

Congressman Scott Tipton’s legislation to create rural jobs and affordable electricity by streamlining the regulatory process for the development of small hydropower projects will receive a hearing in the Senate Energy and Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power tomorrow. The hearing begins at 9:30, and will be available via live webcast. Tipton says he’s encouraged by the Senate hearing, and look forward to testifying on the impact that the legislation would have on Western states, including Colorado, where he says there is great potential to expand production and generate clean and affordable hydroelectricity. The purpose of the hearing will be to gather testimony on four water bills, including Tipton’s Hydropower and Rural Jobs Act. The measure passed the House with bipartisan support in March, and has been endorsed by the Family Farm Alliance, the National Water Resources Association, the Association of California Water Agencies and the American Public Power Association.

PARKS AND WILDLIFE LOOKING FOR CREWS TO RESEARCH SAGE GROUSE

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is looking for people to track sage grouse for a major research project. The department is conducting a multi-year research project investigating survival, detectability, lek attendance, and inter-lek movements of male greater sage grouse in Northwest Colorado. The duties of the advertised positions will vary over the course of the season, and include capturing and marking birds, extensive early morning and late night field work, searching for new leks, and daily data entry, among other things. Crews are being recruited for two different areas; northwest of Maybell, and the Piceance basin. The department is looking for a total of 6 people on each team; a field crew leader and 5 field technicians. If you’re interested, you’ll find application instructions by clicking on the links below.

NEW POLL SHOWS RISING SUPPORT FOR MARIJUANA AMENDMENT

A new poll shows a majority of Colorado voters are in favor of Amendment 64. That’s the measure that would make it legal for adults to possess small amounts of marijuana. About 51% of respondents to the poll said they would vote for the amendment, while only 40% opposed it. Although there are more men that are in favor of it, the majority of women polled also said they would vote for it. The poll was conducted by Survey USA. If Amendment 64 passes, Colorado would be the first state to allow recreational use of marijuana. However, federal laws still apply, and trump state laws. Respondents were nearly equally divided between Republican, Democratic and Independent voters.

CNCC AUTO TECH TO MAKE SURE RESIDENTS CARS ARE READY FOR WINTER

Colorado Northwestern Community College in Craig is offering residents a chance to make sure their vehicles are ready for winter. Students in the Auto Tech Department will get simple hands on training with the event. Local area professionals will also be on hand, helping to give your car what they call a “winter driving physical”. They’ll also give helpful winter driving tips. The check-ups will take place October 6th and 20th from 10 to noon both days, at the CNCC Auto Tech Garage, just north of The Memorial Hospital. School officials recommend you reserve a spot, by calling 824-1132.

HAYDEN HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES HOMECOMING WEEK

Hayden’s Homecoming Week continues. Today is “Twins” day, where students are encouraged to pick a friend and dress alike. The chili cook-off will be held from 4:45 to 7 in the school’s lobby. You can get your chili registered by calling the high school at 276-3761. Those just looking to eat some chili can get a bowl for $5. Tomorrow is Class T-shirt and Class Colors day. Macho Volleyball will be at 7 tomorrow night in the gym.

In high school sports:
Today:
In volleyball:
Hayden hosts Soroco at 6:30.
Steamboat travels to Eagle Valley at 6:30.